God says: You ain't all that!

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

The bible reminds us not to think of ourselves more highly than we should. It also reminds us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. It is sad, very sad... that men and women who have been called to carry, to treasure, to declare the most awesome thing on earth, the word of God, have somehow exalted themselves above the word, above those who they are called to serve and sometimes above God.

It saddens me when I travel and see men and women of God with their crew...LOL, entourage of 10, 15, 20 or more men and women following them and worshipping them as if they were God. I understand the need for a few, 2-4 people maybe around you and being attentive to your needs, but sometimes it is ridiculous. Yes, there are security concerns sometimes, yes there are some needs that the woman or man of God might need immediate attention, I understand that..but!

We must take a note from presidents and world leaders. Unless they are in immediate or potential danger, you very rarely realize that secret and service agents are around , but you better believe if you blow your nose wrong, the presence of these security teams would be on you like white on rice.

I love the spirit of Bishop Gary Hawkins. The man has a ministry of perhaps, 15-20k membership in 3 churches but he is so down to earth, a true people person. He still drives to the old neighborhood chicken shack, not to busy unless he has some important meeting or task to do after a service to stop and talk to you, pray with you, or just laugh with you. When did we become so important that we are untouchable? Yes, we must use some wisdom but not at the expense of lifting ourselves higher than we should.

We are called to be servants but to many church leaders do not serve but want to be served. We must remember that the least, the servant, the last will be exalted. God is talking about our heart condition and real service done to his glory from a true heart.

What do you think?

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

@Rev Luckett..very good answer/reponse. Those thing happen to me as well, well I know many ministers who have experienced similar things. If you read Katherine Kulman's biograpy, she talks about being in major conferences..has asked everyone to be silent because she was so deep into the presence of God and that God wanted to do something that even a whisper would disturb what God wanted to do. Plus, after praying, studying and meditating on the word of God 4 to 8 hours a day for nearly 4 years, by being so close to God during those times, there were things that God revealed that could not be revealed to persons who did not spend serious quality time with God. Paul even hints to this when He makes the statement that he could not feed them meat(the meat of the word, greater revelation knowledge) because they were still on milk..they were babes

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

We all must remember that where the word is silent on a subject or there is confusion, we MUST go to God in prayer and trust that God by the Holy Spirit will give us clarity and revelation. Why? Because prayer is a a revelation resource. Also because the Holy Spirit is out teacher, guide, revelation knowledge giver, comforter, and much more. The word says that the greatnesss of God is unsearchable...if it is unsearchable, then how can we know God's greatness? By revelation from the Holy Spirit, that is, if our hearts are open to receive truth. What does the word say? The day that you hear(my words, my truth, my revelation), harden not your hearts. Let us pray that our hearts and souls are open to receive truth and revelation from God however He deisres to send it.... We must remeber that meny missed the blessing and benefit of Jesus who was right in their town, presence, and vicinity. How many times have we missed God because of our own thinking.? How many times have we missed God's blessing and guidance because we did not understand? 2 Chronicles 7:14. Proverbs 3, 1-8
1 Corinthians 2: 1-12,

[luis de jesus]

Brother Bell what are you talking about when you say "pray to God too open your mouth" and what to do mean when you said "I know you and other belive in Herbew but I belive God is bigger and powerful then that". I don't deal with man's experiences that can not be backup by scripture. Like Brother Leigh said "scripture is our final authority"! If you can't give me biblical reference its useless to defend your stance.
Pastor's don't have their own little special anointing. Look at my previous post where I gave scripture that says we all have the same anointing. To say that a preacher is not to be touched at times because "the anointing is flowing thru him" is nonsense!! Let's get back to the Word of God!

[Minister M]

Interesting comments.

[PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR]

BRO LUIS DONT LIMTED GOD IN WHAT HE CAN DO. WE LIMTED GOD . THE SPIRIT MOVES USE ALL DIFF

[PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR]

REV LUCKETT YOU ARE CORR IN YOUR ANSW SOME TIME WE CAN BECOME TOO ED IN OUR WORK FOR THE LORD AND WE QUECH THE SPIRIT. BRO LUIS PRAY TO GOD TOO OPEN YOUR MOUTH . I KNOW YOU AND OTHER BELIVE IN HERBEW BUT I BELIVE GOD IS BIGGER AND POWERFUL THEN THAT . REV LUCKETT LET GOD USE YOU . WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW BUT GRACE AND GODS ANNOTING MOVES FREELY .IF YOU WANT SCIT. TO THIS WE WILL JUST HOW TO ASK GOD WHEN I AND HOPEFUL YOU SEE HIM. GOD THOUGHT IS NOT OUR THOUGHTS GOD BLESS . SIS JONES TRUE SO TRUE.

[Prophet,Dr. JUSTIN LWEMBA NGOMA]

i pray that ,the Lord will open our spiritual eyes that we may see beyond our human comprehension.

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

Actually sometimes crying is not emotional..sometimes the Holy Spirit will seek someone that He can use to pray for, intercede on behalf of, or carry the burden for something that or someone that is on the heart of God.Sometimes the burden is so great, that the spirit man (The real man) senses the greatness of that burden which produces crying, moans, because you are carrying the burden of that situation or person....

[luis de jesus]

Bro. Anthony so if there is no scripture to back are we dealing with emotionalism. We as a people of color are very emotional especially when it comes to the worship of God. And yes I have wept but I knew why and that is because God didn't have to save me. I cried because I was not worthy of HIS Grace and Mercy especially when I was in sin and was a non-believer and a muslim. When I think about the times that he has allowed me to live in spite of me. The problem is when we have a emotio experience and say its God.
The so-called slain in the spirit thing has become a phenomenon and expect it to happen every time.But like you said Brother Anthony it has taken a bad rap not only because of tv ministries but because of the disorder in the church.
Brother Michael yes when we study the Word the Holy Spirit should be in it. But we must remember to interpret scripture in context. That's why its so important for churches to have expository teaching where you get the whole counsel of God. There is nothing wrong with laying hands on people per se but the problem is with all the added hype and hoopla. You get "slain" and get back up and go back to the same sin you where in before you got "slain".

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

From the movie: Are we there yet? LOL...
great conversation and exchange.....I believe that through these types of exchange that God looks upon us and becomes involved because He sees us seeking His face..Hebrews 11:6, as we keep an open heart and mind, I believe that God is going to lead each of us into higher degrees of understanding , knowledge and wisdom of His word. That is my hope and desire for each us( That we grow individually and collectively into the knowledge of the truth were God can speak to our hearts and let us know that He is pleased...